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The Foreign Desk

Monocle

100 episodes

Presented by Andrew Mueller, Monocle’s flagship global-affairs show features expert guests and in-depth analysis of the big issues of the week. Nominated for ‘Best Current Affairs’ show and the ‘Spotlight Award’ in the 2022 British Podcast Awards.

Episodes page 1 of 2

  1. Israelis head to the polls: The stakes for Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestine and beyond

    · 30 min

    The Israeli general election is poised to be one of the most consequential in the country's history. Can Netanyahu cobble together another government? What can those in Palestine, Lebanon and beyond expect if he does?…

  2. Explainer 540: Why are we blowing up the anti-personnel mines deal?

    · 7:00

    For 27 years, the Ottawa Treaty bound international law, banning 165 countries from using anti-personnel mines. Today Russia’s neighbours are abandoning the deal. If the treaty unravels, what is the future of conflict?…

  3. Live from New Delhi: What’s bugging India?

    · 41 min

    As protests bring New Delhi to a standstill, Andrew Mueller hears from Shashi Tharoor, Meenakshi Lekhi and Rahul Bedi about the demonstrations, political discontent and the challenges facing Narendra Modi’s government.…

  4. Powering purpose in New Delhi

    · 1 h 00 min

    Recorded at D’Monde New Delhi in association with Hitachi Energy, CEO Andreas Schierenbeck, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe and Nobel laureate Didier Queloz discuss overcoming resistance and finding fresh perspectives.…

  5. Explainer 539: Why are India's 'Cockroaches' on the march again?

    · 7:27

    We report live from New Delhi, where the Cockroach Janta Party is marching in protest against the government. Is the Indian capital under siege? And is this the beginning of the end for the prime minister, Narendra…

  6. Like father, like son: Are the Bolsonaros set to take Brazil or can Lula fight back?

    · 32 min

    As Brazilians head back to the polls, can Lula win them back? Where did all these Bolsonaros come from? And: the regional implications if Brazil heads to the right. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Explainer 538: Are Ethiopia’s enemies uniting?

    · 6:06

    Rebel groups across Ethiopia are mobilising again. Is this renewed uprising simply unfinished business at home or are regional powers quietly helping to turn up the heat? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

  8. As war threatens to accelerate across Europe, why are some countries still stuck in neutral?

    · 27 min

    With a major war raging on the European continent, there are a few countries that would prefer to be excused. We head to Switzerland, Austria and Ireland to examine what neutrality means today. See…

  9. Explainer 537: Javier Milei and the Falklands – here we go again

    · 6:59

    Javier Milei is rattling Argentina’s old Falklands sabre again. But is this latest legal threat over offshore oil a serious strategy, domestic theatre or merely another chapter in history’s strangest recurring…

  10. Rebuilding Lebanon: Where do you even start?

    · 35 min

    From Israel’s strikes in the south and attempting to disarm Hezbollah, to reinstating services and infrastructure, Lebanon’s government is in a pivotal moment. We hear from three ministers on both the headwinds and…

  11. Explainer 536: What leverage would the Houthis’s seizing of Bab al-Mandab give Iran?

    · 6:40

    The Iran-backed Houthis have launched their largest offensive in years, seizing key ports and islands along the Bab al-Mandab strait. What sway will this give Iran over the global economy and ending the war? See…

  12. Live from the Arab Media Summit: The UAE’s new role in war and peace

    · 33 min

    The United Arab Emirates’ pitch has always been: you are safe here. This year, that changed. We go to Dubai to examine how the UAE prepared for conflict and its plans for peace. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

  13. Explainer 535: Could Andy Burnham be the UK’s last prime minister?

    · 7:06

    This week the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland signed a joint memorandum declaring that Westminster’s time is “coming to an end”. But is there a clear path to independence? See omnystudio.com/listener…

  14. The firewall falls: what does the AfD’s breakthrough mean for Europe?

    · 33 min

    The AfD’s victory in Saxony-Anhalt tweaked a nerve in Germany and across Europe. We examine how it won, its leaders’ plans and the media’s role in the rise of the far right. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

  15. Why is Jamaica asking the United Kingdom for $10bn (€8.6bn)?

    · 6:20

    Explainer 534: Jamaica’s government is seeking legal guidance from King Charles on receiving reparations. What issues lie at the heart of this request? And how is London likely to respond? See omnystudio.com/listener…

  16. Powering purpose in Stavanger

    · 44 min

    A special episode in association with Hitachi Energy, recorded at ONS 2026 in Stavanger, Norway. Andrew Mueller discusses the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition with Arancha González Laya, Tinne Van…

  17. The geopolitics of going nuclear, again

    · 31 min

    Despite its troubled history, nuclear energy is back on the agenda across the globe. Could it be our saviour? And what are the strategic risks for nations that aren’t keeping up with the energy renaissance? See…

  18. Explainer 533: Disgraced war criminal or Serbian hero? The diplomatic conundrum of Ratko Mladić’s death

    · 6:58

    Colonel-General Ratko Mladić died last week in prison in the Netherlands. Serbia has a complicated relationship with the disgraced war criminal, with many calling for a state funeral. What will his legacy be? See…

  19. Iran: Is the US out of options?

    · 34 min

    Six months into the US’s war with Iran, is any kind of military victory possible? Or is the Strait of Hormuz the US’s Suez? Rear admiral Mark Montgomery, Bloomberg’s Dina Esfandiary and historian Stephen Wertheim…

  20. Explainer 532: Why is Syria back on Washington’s Christmas card list?

    · 7:14

    After a warm reception between Donald Trump and President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria has been removed from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. What stands to be gained for both sides? See omnystudio.com/listener…

  21. After America: Europe’s new security order

    · 37 min

    As the US retreats from Nato’s “all for one, one for all” clause, Europe is forging new defence ties. Can the West hold together without Washington? Estonia’s defence minister, Hanno Pevkur, joins the debate. See…

  22. Explainer 531: Could Moldova reunite with Romania?

    · 8:19

    With Moldova vulnerable to Russian pressure and EU membership still years away, could reunification with Romania offer a shortcut to greater security? Andrew Mueller explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

  23. The Democrats’ warring factions: Each have won battles but who will win the war?

    · 32 min

    The Democrats’ centrist and progressive wings have each claimed victories in the primary cycle. Is the Democratic Party on the verge of re-assembling its circular firing squad? And who will win in November? See…

  24. Explainer 530: Who even is Russia’s anti-war party?

    · 7:43

    Russia’s Supreme Court has barred the country’s only anti-war party from standing in parliamentary “elections”. Does the ban reflect an uptick in anti-war support or Putin’s ever-tightening grip on power? See…

  25. The Ceuta border crisis: Who’s really threatening Schengen?

    · 31 min

    The migration crisis in Ceuta sparked a fierce response across Europe. Does it expose a genuine threat to the border-free Schengen zone or are governments using the surge for political gain? See…

  26. Explainer 529: What’s driving Morocco’s Trump highway?

    · 7:05

    Morocco confirmed this week that it has named a major highway in Western Sahara after US president Donald Trump. But what’s the strategy behind awarding Trump a personal stake in the disputed territory? See…

  27. CTRL + ALT + RIGHT: Has technofascism taken over Silicon Valley?

    · 42 min

    Thirty years ago, it was assumed that the internet would be an engine of liberal democracy. Now, Silicon Valley’s massive wealth is embracing power and promoting right-wing ideology. How did we get here? See…

  28. Explainer 528: Does India’s Cockroach party have legs?

    · 6:54

    India’s youth-led Cockroach Janta Party is scuttling onto the political stage. It has already claimed one minister’s resignation but can continued protests force the government to give up more ground? See…

  29. How can we ensure that the politics of heatwaves doesn’t cool off?

    · 33 min

    As Canada battles wildfires, Spain declares a national climate emergency and France evacuates tens of thousands, where do the politics around climate change stand? Is denialism gaining traction or is diplomacy winning…

  30. Explainer 527: Andy Burnham and the revolving door of UK politics

    · 7:23

    Andy Burnham became the UK’s seventh prime minister in 10 years this week. Why has Britain adopted Italian-style political turbulence and is it here to stay? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  31. When politics kicks off at the World Cup: what separates the screamers from the own goals?

    · 36 min

    The World Cup has always been political, including previous editions hosted by juntas and dictatorships. This year, presidents thumbed the scale and small nations made us dream again. Who scored and who was caught…

  32. Explainer 526: Why Japan has been spooked into launching an intelligence service

    · 6:53

    Japan announced plans this week to establish its own intelligence agency, its first since the Second World War. But why now? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  33. Powering Purpose in London

    · 26 min

    A special episode in association with Hitachi Energy, recorded at Midori House in London. Andrew Mueller discusses the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition with Gerhard Salge, Olga Rosca and Richard…

  34. The scramble for critical minerals

    · 34 min

    As the global competition for minerals intensifies, we consider the geopolitics at play. How did China emerge as a dominant force? And will the DRC ever benefit from its own resources? See omnystudio.com/listener for…

  35. Explainer 525: You can’t keep a Le Pen down

    · 7:39

    Far-right French firebrand Marine Le Pen’s sentence for embezzlement was reduced this week, allowing her to stand in next year’s presidential election. But will the conviction hinder or help her campaign? Andrew…

  36. Does the US still have a free press?

    · 38 min

    As the US marks 250 years, is one of the pillars of its democracy, a free press, under threat? Guests including White House correspondent Maggie Haberman discuss the current administration’s relationship with the…

  37. Explainer 524: Why is Marco Rubio trying to unify Libya?

    · 6:45

    This week Marco Rubio hosted the latest round of talks between rival Libyan factions in an attempt to unify the country. But what’s in it for the US secretary of state? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

  38. Live from Almedalen 2026: The state of Swedish politics

    · 40 min

    Monocle reports from Almedalen Week, the annual political summit on the island of Gotland. We assess the state of Swedish politics in an election year, with guests including minister for gender equality Nina Larsson.…

  39. Explainer 523: Flight of the White Eagle

    · 6:38

    Poland has been one of Ukraine’s biggest allies since the full-scale invasion by Russia. But will that continue after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s controversial tribute? See omnystudio.com/listener for…

  40. ‘El juego bonito’: Can the beautiful game help Mexico win off the pitch?

    · 32 min

    Mexico has made a promising start on the pitch but what other victories is the nation eyeing up? Andrew Mueller is joined by former ambassador to the US Arturo Sarukhán, among others. See omnystudio.com/listener for…

  41. Explainer 522: The World Cup seat France won’t fill

    · 8:04

    While Fifa faces reports of unsold tickets, one seat at France’s World Cup matches is being deliberately left empty. But why? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  42. Live from Odesa: Ukraine’s journey from needing help to providing it

    · 37 min

    Live from the Black Sea Security Forum, we hear from Ukrainian MPs on the country’s future and the state of warfare. As Ukraine fights on, it has shifted from needing aid to providing new intelligence. See…

  43. Explainer 521: Trump Island

    · 7:00

    Ivanka Trump has revealed extensive plans to redevelop Albanian island Sazan into a luxury resort. But after thousands gathered in protest, will it go ahead? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  44. Lessons from Odesa: the changing landscape of war

    · 44 min

    Live from the Black Sea Security Forum, we hear stories from both the front line and surrounding regions in the war against Russia, including senator Ruben Gallego and Salomé Zourabichvili, fifth president of Georgia.…

  45. Explainer 520: Is it the end of the road for Ferrari’s new electric vehicle?

    · 7:27

    Italians are up in arms about the newly unveiled Ferrari Luce, the luxury carmaker’s first electric vehicle. But why the controversy? Andrew Mueller explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  46. Upping the ante: How prediction markets are shaking geopolitics

    · 30 min

    The rapid rise of prediction markets is prompting questions about their influence on politics, military operations and the way we consume news. We discuss with guests including PredictIt founder John Aristotle…

  47. Explainer 519: Why Morocco and Senegal’s football rivalry is the one to watch this World Cup

    · 7:21

    Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has pardoned 15 Senegalese football fans ahead of the World Cup. But what happened at the Africa Cup of Nations final to trigger their arrest? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

  48. The Cuban man-made crisis: will the US’s maximum-pressure campaign topple Havana’s government?

    · 38 min

    Cubans are facing a nightmarish humanitarian crisis – and Washington is piling on the pressure. US secretary of state Marco Rubio has long dreamed of regime change on the island. But will it happen? We head to Havana…

  49. Explainer 518: Duterte vs Marcos in the latest episode of Filipino Family Feud

    · 7:07

    The feud between the Philippines’ most powerful political dynasties continues. This week, vice-president Sara Duterte was impeached. Andrew Mueller unpacks the latest turn in the country’s ongoing political saga. See…

  50. The rise of the middle powers

    · 38 min

    As great powers become increasingly unstable and unpredictable, smaller nations are building alliances and trade deals. Guests including Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, consider whether we have entered the age of…

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